Fastening for rails



y 1951 J. R. SNYDER 2,553,950

FASTENING FOR RAILS Filed June 26, 1946 I k I INVENTOR' JACOB PUSH /vyaA-R BY fwd, W5

Patented May 22, 1951 UNI S TATES PATENT OFFICE I '8 Claims.

This inventionrela'tes to 'fastenings for rail- :way rails and, 'moreparti'cularly, to a fastening o'f this'kind in which the rail "is yieldingly held againsta support by'a substantially'rigid clamp subjected to spring pressure.

:In rail fasten'ings of this kind a screw spike .is usually employed as:a conneting memberand,

during installation of the fastening, is driven rinto a tie'so astoextendithrough therigid clamp and the loading spring. .The labor ordinarily em- .ployed in installing :01' servicing rail 'z'fastenings of this kind is not skilledslaborrand, uriless prewautions-zare taken, thet'screwispikes may be improperly driven so zthat :in PsQme'Icasesthey may :not :apply the :des'ired load T170 the "rail and, in dither cases, they :may :be 'overdriven :"and .cause aexcessive loading on the rail. The present invention overcomes =this difliculti :and provides :an improved fastening which ican :be installed by -unskilled laborand :in which the screw spike will; always rbe correctlyidrivenrso that-all of the :fastenings will be subjected toaa desiredsubstan- .tiallymniform loading.

.-As one of :its objects the present invention aims -'to :provide 18,11 :improved fastening :of this kind which-canzloe formed-by the use of a small number of ;parts adapted to be economically (manufactured and installed.

.Another "object of I-the invention is to provide ran improved :construction :for :a fastening of *the character -.mentioned :in which the spring serves the dualpurposeof wapplyingxthe desiredload to .-.the clamp and acting as a gauge or stop for automatically :determining, the correct distance which the spike ;is :to :be driven into .the' tie.

:A further object of ithisiinvention is 'to provide an improved construction for :a rail fastening :of this character in which the :clamp has an -inclined 'spring .seat adapted "to cooperate .with the springso-astorenableithersame to -act =-as-a zgaugeifor the spike without preventing a -desired jyielding :and :rocking :of the *clamp "to ;permit iarlimite'd amountrof movement of the trail relative ."to thez support.

The *invention :can -:be rfurther "briefly isumtmarized as consistingiin :certain "novel I combinaftiOnS rand arrangements :of parts hereinafter de- :scrihed:andqi'articularly 'rset rout .in"th'e appended :claims.

f-In the accompanying sheetrof drawings .;Fig.z1:is2a vertical sectionalfview taken through iattieiplateeand rail: andzillustratingthe improved fasteningiof "the :present :invention.

ZEig. :2zis a,mimilar'Merticalssection'al view itaken at'a point-such as to extendthrough'the rigid clamp and the loadingspring.

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the tie plate fin detached relation-and showing the shape of the tie plate opening.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the clamp-showing the same indetached relation. I

'Fig. 5-is a bottom plan-view thereof, and

Fig. 6 is an end view of the clamp as viewed "from its inner or rail-engagingend.

As illustrated in the drawing, the invention provides a fasteningin whicha railway rail IE0 "is yieldingly held against a s pport which is 'here shown as comprising a-tie plate I-I resting on a wooden tie 12. The rail -l 0 is shown as being of a conventional construction, which includes the usual head andweb portions "Illa and T01), and a laterally extending "base flange 13. Thetie plate H is also shown asbeing of a'con- 'ventional construction consisting of an elongated substantially flat metal plate having one' or more upstanding ribs 1 4 extending thereacross in the direction of the axis of the rail 10 and forming a shoulder or shoulders adapted tobe engaged by the edge or edges of the flange gl3. The tie plate has suitably located openings l5 extending therethrough adja'cent'the rib, or ribs, l4. "Each of the openings has a substantially circular portion T511 and, for a purpose to become more apparent hereinafter, each opening 'alsolhas a slot portion I52) extending in a direction away "from the rib l4.

The-fastening also-includes, as an'important part thereof, a substantially rigid'clamp I6 which is held against the-tieplate and rail flange by meansof a coiledspring l'l-an'd afastenerinthe form of a screw spike is extending through'such clampand spring. "The clamp 16 isa one-piece metal body whichrcan beeconomically 'manufactured and which, in this instance, is in the form of a forging havingan opening l9through which the screw'spike 18 extends. At its outer end the clamp l6 is-ofsubstantial depthor-height and-has spaced bearing portions or pads, 2.0which engage the top surface'of the tie plate H "at points adjacent-to, but on oppositesides-offithe slot'extension [5b of the tie plate opening. The outer end of .the clamp .also has a depending lu J2! located between the bearing {portions 20 and which is engageable'in the'slot extension I517.

"The inner :end "of the clamp 1-6 is of relatively reduced height or thickness and ever- "hangs" the 'rail-flange 3. *This 'inner en'd i's provided with a bearing portion or pad 22 wlii'ch enga'ges -the upper surface of ---1the rail fiange :ta

adjacent the outer longitudinal edge thereof. The opening [9 of the clamp extends through the same between the outer and inner bearing portions and 22 and is of a size to freely accommodate the unthreaded stem portion |8a of the screw spike I8. The intermediate portion of the clamp is recessed or arched upwardly on the underside thereof, as shown in the drawing, so as to extend in bridging relation over the shoulder 14 of the tie plate II.

An important feature of the clamp 16 is the fact that this member is provided with a top bearing surface 23 which is inclined relative to the axis of the spike l8 and slopes downwardly and inwardly toward the rail flange l3. This top bearing surface forms a correspondingly inclined annular spring seat 24 extending around the opening I9 and against which the lower end of the coiled spring I! bears. The top of the clamp is also provided with a pair of upstanding opposed ribs 25 which extend arcuately around the opening i9 and the spring seat 24, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. These arcuate ribs form a positioning and retaining means for the lower end of the spring H. The ribs 25 also serve to reinforce the clamp l6 and particularly the portions thereof which bridge the rib 14 of the tie plate and overhang the rail flange l3.

At the outer end of the clamp, the ribs 25 are of decreasing height and merge smoothly into the top bearing surface 23. At the inner end of the clamp, these ribs have portions 25a, of increasing height and lateral thickness and reinforce this portion of the clamp as mentioned above. As shown in Fig. 4, these thickened inner ends 25a ofthe arcuate ribs 25 are spaced apart so that a portion of the downwardly and inwardly sloping bearing surface 23 is exposed therebetween to permit the free drainage of water, brine, or other corrosive liquid, from the top of the clamp, and in a direction away from the spike opening l9.

The screw spike I8 is provided with a head l8?) .having a clamping surface or shoulder 2'! on the underside thereof which forms a seat for the upper end of the coiled spring IT. The stem of the spike is provided with a screw thread 28 which engages in the wooden tie I2, preferably in a preformed opening thereof. The coiled spring I! is disposed around the unthreaded stem portion l8a of the spike so as to extend between the spring seat 24a and the clamp i6 and the spring seat 21 on the underside of the head of the spike. The spring [1, in its free state has substantially the shape of a right circular cylinder, and has dimensions and characteristics suitable for applying a desired load to the clamp I B for yieldingly holding the rail flange I3 against the tie plate H and the tie plate against the wooden tie l2. The unthreaded stem portion lBa of the spike is also of appropriate length in relation to the length of the spring H, the height or thickness of the clamp l6 and the thickness of the tie plate H.

In installing the fastening herein disclosed, the screw spike I8 is driven into the tie !2 so 7 as to subject the spring I! to compression against the inclined spring seat of the clamp l6. During this operation the spike is driven into the tie until the convolutions of the spring are compressed to a solid or closed condition on the 4 been solidly compressed at the outer side, as shown in Fig. l and 2, the spring will serve as a gauge or stop for automatically determining and limiting the extent to which the screw spike is to be driven into the tie for obtaining a correct loading of the rail.

By reason of the inclination of the spring seat 24, the spring convolutions will not be compressed to such a closed or solid condition on the side of the spring adjacent the rail l8 but will remain spaced apart as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. This spacing of the convolutions on the inner side of the spring will permit the inner end of the clamp it to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the spike l8 in accordance with rising and falling movements of the rail IQ during the passage of trains thereover; This movement of the clamp takes place as a rocking movement relative to the tie plate I I during which the outer end of the clamp fulcrums-on the bearing portions 26 and is held against lateral shifting relative to the tie plate by the engagement of the depending lug 21 in the slot extension [5b of the tie plate opening. The engagement of this lug in the slot I51) also prevents the inner surface of the clamp opening H) from having an abrading or scraping action on the unthreaded stem portion lBa of the spike. Additionally, this depending lug 2! serves the important purpose of holding the clamp in its proper position and prevents the same from rotating about the spike.

Although the convolutions of the spring I! are compressed to a solid condition at the outer side of the spring during the driving of the screw spike, as explained above, this condition usually obtains or exists only during the installation of the fastening because as soon as a few trains have passed over the rail [0 some settling of the tie plate I into the wooden tie [2 will take place and will result in the closed convolutions of the spring being released or spread apart to some extent. It might well also be explained at this point that the driving of the screw spike I8 into the tie can be accomplished by the use of any suitable tool. This operation is preferably carried out with a wrench of the type having an automatic torque overload release so that when the spike has been driven inwardly to the point at which the spring convolutions are compressed to the solid condition explained above, the release mechanism of the wrench will yield and will prevent the spike from being subjected to a torsional load greater than that needed for compressing the spring to the solid condition.

Reverting to the inclined spring seat 24 provided by the top bearing surface of the clamp 16, it will be observed that the spring seat thus provided has high and low points 24a and 24b located at substantially opposite sides of the opening I9. These high and low points are here shown as being continuous portions of the spring seat 24 although they could be formed on the clamp in various other ways. These high and low points or seat portions cooperate with the spring l1 so as to enable the convolutions at the outer side of the spring to act as a gauge for the driving of the spike, as explained above, and for the loading of the spring to provide a desired predetermined pressure on the rail flange. The inclination here shown for the top bearing surface 23 of the clamp in providing these high and low points is approximately seven degrees, although this value is not critical and can be. in-

ammo

-*Whenrailfastenings;embodyingthe above described constructions have been installed, they possess numerous;importantjadvantageseoverrail :iasteningsrheretofore. provided-andsome-of these advantages :have -,already-been :pointed out. above. Certain other important advantages of-the improved fastening can well ;be--e,xp1aine d;at this point. The compression ofthe spring I! to the advantage of the improved :fastenin is that the automatic gauging of the extent to which-the nspike-isto be driven into-the .-tie 'and which is accomplished as above explained, resultsdn the same predetermined load being uniformly ap- ,plied to the rail for eachof the fastenings thus installed.

j Although the improved rail fastenin :Of :the

present invention has been illustrated andqdescribed herein ,in considerable detail, it :Wi1l;.-b8 understood, of course that the-invention is ;in- ,tended to include allchanges ,andmodifications coming within the scopeof the appendedclaims Having thus describedmy invention, I claim ,1, ,In a rail fastening of the character described, a support, a railhaving a-base flange resting on said support, a substantially rigid clamp having an outer end bearingportionrockably engaging said support and an inner end bearing portion engagingthe top of said base flange, said clamp also having an opening therethrough betweensaidendbearing portions and an inclinedspring seat surrounding -said open- 'ing, a connecting member connected with said support so as to extend through the 'clamp'opening and havingholdingmeans'spaeedabove said inclined spring seat, and ia coiled spring surrounding Said c nnectin m mb d comessed a a aid in hnedsp ns a ibysa holding means, the inclination of said spring seat being such that it slopes downwardlya-and inwardly toward said base :flange and ".the ,compression of'said spring being such that;it1is1, un-

der greater compression at the outer side of the clamp than it is at the inner side of the clamp.

2. In a rail fastening of the character described, a support, a rail having a base flange resting on said support, a substantially rigid. clamp having an outer end bearing portion rockably engaging said support and an inner end bearing portion engaging the top of said base flange, said clamp also having an opening therethrough between said end bearing portions and a spring seat on the top thereof comprising relatively high and low seat portions located on the same sides of the clamp opening as said outer and inner end bearing portions respectively, a connecting member connected with said support so as to extend through the clamp opening and having holding means spaced from said spring seat, and a coiled spring having in its free state substantially the shape of a right circular cylinder surrounding said connecting member and subjected to compression with one end engaging said holding means and its other end engaging isaid-highiand' low seat; portions, saidsspr-ing being su-bj ected to greater V-tdefiectiOn. on ithe aside coriresponding with .said high :seat portion .than .on the side corresponding.withsaid lowseat; portion.

.3.- -:In a grail afastening of athe character de- :scribed, ;a support, :a rail havinga base flange resting on =:.sai.d ;support, .a substantially rigid l clamp i having an outer end bearing c portion rockzablyiengagingcsaid support and an :inner end bearing portion, engaging the top of said base :flangasaid clampalso havingan opening therethroughbetweensaidend bearing portions and :an inclined :spring seat surrounding said openting, -a connecting member, connected with said :support so eas to extend. through, the clamp opening :and: havingv holding-means, spaced. above said inclined spring,.seat,.aicoiled spring surrounding said connecting member and compressed against .said'; inclined spring seat by said holding'means, iandupstanding ribs .on .said clamp and extend- 1ing Jinarcuate relation around, said spring seat, the inclination of :said spring seat zbeing'such ethat .it slopes downwardly and inwardly toward :said base flange "and the compression of said springbeingsuch that itis under greater compression at the outer side of the clamp than it is .at :the. inner side of the-clamp.

-',:4=. In a rail fastening of 'the character described, .a;suppor.t, a .rail ihaving a :-base flange 1,30 :resting on said support, a substantially rigid clamp having .a relatively :thick outer end portion. roclrably engaging said support and an inner :endportion of relatively reducedcthickness overhanging the rail flange and engaging the top :thereof, .said clamp also :having an opening :therethroughbetween said end portions and a ,spring seat surrounding said opening and .in- 'clined downwardly and inwardly toward the rail :flangexandiextended onto said inner :end portion,

.40 a,connecting;member connected withsaid supportso as-ltoextendithrough thev clamp opening and having "holding 'means spaced from the in- --c1ined'spring seat, a coiled spring surrounding said connecting member andcompressed against ,-;said inclinedspring seat :bysaidholding means, and upstanding ribs on said. clamp and extending arcuately around'saidspringseat, said ribs'havsing spacedapart end-portions of;increased thick- =ness :gformed integral with said inner .end .portion. 5. :In araiL-fastening, a tie,.a tieplate onsaid -,tie,;a rai1;having afbaseiflange supported-on said atieyplate, :said tie :plate having a rail-gauging ishoulder ;thereon;and .an opening therethrough adjacent said shoulder, a clamp bridging said shoulder and having end bearing portions adapted to bear respectively on the rail flange and tie plate and also having an opening therethrough between said end bearing portions, a fastener having a stem extending into the tie through the openings of said tie plate and clamp and also having a holding portion spaced above the clamp, said clamp having a top bearing surface surrounding the opening thereof and which is inclined relative to the axis of said fastener so as to slope downwardly and inwardly toward said base flange, and a spring surrounding the fastener and subjected to compression between said holding portion and said top bearing surface, said spring serving to yieldingly hold said clamp against the rail flange and tie plate and the inclination of said top bearing surface enabling thespring to also serve as a gauge for limiting the extent to which the fastener is driven into the tie.

6. ,In a rail fastening, a tie, a tie plate on said tie, a rail having a base flange supported on said tie plate, said tie plate having a rail-gaugin shoulder thereon and an opening therethrough adjacent said shoulder, a clamp bridging said shoulder and having end bearing portions adapted to bear respectively on the rail flange and tie plate and also having an opening therethrough between said end bearing portions, a fastener having a stem extending into the tie through the openings of said tie plate and clamp and also having a holding portion spaced above the clamp, said clamp having a top bearing surface surrounding the opening thereof and which has high and low portions located on the outer and inner sides respectively of the opening of the clamp so as to slope downwardly and inwardly toward said base flange, and a coiled spring surrounding the fastener and subjected to compression between said holding portion and said top bearing surface for yieldingly holding the clamp against the rail flange and tie plate, said spring being adapted to be solidly clamped at one side only thereof between said holding portion of the fastener and said high portion of the clamp for limiting the extent to which the fastener is initially driven into the tie.

7. In a rail fastening, a tie, a tie plate on said tie, a rail having a base flange supported on said tie plate, said tie plate having a rail-gauging shoulder thereon and also having an opening therethrough adjacent said shoulder and including a slot portion extending in a direction away from the shoulder, a substantially rigid clamp bridging said shoulder and having inner and outer end bearing portions adapted to bear on the rail flange and tie plate respectively and also having an opening therethrough between said end bearing portions and a depending lug engageable in said slot portion of the tie plate opening, a headed fastener having a stem extending into said tie and extending through the openings of the tie plate and clamp, said clamp having a top bearing surface which is inclined relative to the axis of said fastener so as to slope downwardly and inwardly toward said base flange, and a coiled spring surrounding said fastener and subjected to compression between said top bearing surface and the head of the fastener for yieldingly holding the clamp against said rail flange and tie plate, the compression of said spring being such that the convolutions thereof remain spaced apart on the side thereof nearest the rail so as to permit rocking of the 8 I clamp on its outer end bearing portion, said spring also serving as a gauge for limiting the extent to which the fastener is initially driven into the tie.

8. In a rail fastening, a tie, a tie plate on said tie,'a'rail having a base flange supported on said tie plate, said tie plate having a rail-gauging shoulder thereon and also having an opening therethrough adjacent said shoulder and including a slot portion extending in a direction away from the shoulder, a substantially rigid clamp bridging said shoulder and having inner and outer end bearing portions adapted to bear on the rail flange and tie plate respectively and also having an opening therethrough between said end bearing portions and a depending lug engageable in said slot portion of the tie plate opening, a headed fastener having a stem extending into said tie and extending through the openings of the tie plate and clamp, said clamp having a top bearing surface which is inclined relative to the axis of said fastener so as to have high and low portions located respectively on the same sides of the clamp opening as said outer and inner end bearing portions, and a coiled spring surrounding said fastener and subjected to compression between said top bearing surface and the head of the fastener for yieldingly holding the clamp against said rail flange and tie plate, said spring being adapted to have its convolutions at one side thereof compressed to a substantially solid condition between the head of the fastener and the high portion of said top bearing surface for limiting the extent to which the fastener is initially driven into the tie while its convolutions at the other side thereof remain spaced apart so as to permit rocking of the clamp on its outer end bearing portion.

JACOB RUSH SNYDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,175,453 Barcy Oct. 10, 1939 2,355,986 McLean et a1 Aug. 15, 1944 2,387,009 Clarkson Oct. 16, 1945 2,394,373 Gibbs Feb. 5, 1946 2,439,220 Rothfuchs Apr. 6, 1948 2,446,857 Snyder Aug. 10, 1948 

